History of the Give Where You Live Foundation

The Give Where You Live Foundation was initially formed in 1954 as the Geelong and District Community Chest, having three major objectives:

  • To raise funds to be held and used in accordance with the directions and intentions of the donors
  • To disburse these funds either directly or by contributions to organisations to provide relief to diseased, infirm, incurable, poor or destitute persons
  • To “assist in harmonising and making more efficient the work of charitable, philanthropic, eleemosynary and benevolent organisations of Geelong and District.”

In 1979, United Way Australia was formed and between 1979 and 1983 The Geelong Community Chest and United Way Australia’s relationship grew. In 1983, the Geelong and District Community Chest officially changed its name to United Way Geelong Incorporated. This change signified a major milestone in the history of the organisation.

The affiliation with United Way Australia and United Way Worldwide gave The Geelong Community Chest great access to fundraising expertise, new programs and international resources. United Way Geelong established itself quickly as a major part of the United Way Australia organisation and while continuing to operate autonomously for the Geelong region. Incredibly, it grew to eventually represent close to 40% of United Way Australia’s income! The partnership and affiliation were a great success and United Way Geelong grew over this period with the annual campaign surpassing $3 million.

2010 saw the beginning of yet another chapter for the Foundation. United Way World Wide decided that they would only deal with one country body. This meant that United Way Australia would change its model to a more federated operation rather than unique and discreet organisations working in cooperation. Under the new federated model, local autonomy and fundraising would be threatened.

As a result, United Way Geelong dis-affiliated from United Way in late 2010 to ensure that it would always remain Geelong focused, and all the funds raised in our region would remain in our region. Give Where You Live Incorporated was launched in February 2011.

Since 2011, the Foundation has worked tirelessly to deliver funding and develop innovative programs to enhance our region including GROW in partnership with G21 Regional Alliance and Feed Geelong.